Bridging the Gap - Contractor and Bureaucrat Conceptions of Contract Management in Outsourcing

Abstract

Perceptions of bureaucrats and contractors and their contractual relationship underpin contracting success. They are important phenomena but have not been fully explored in the current contracting literature, particularly in a highly politicalized context, namely Hong Kong. Using the principal-agent theory and the transaction cost theory as the theoretical framework, this study examines the perceptions of the key stakeholders, conceptualizes five attributes of effective contract management, and offers recommendations on bridging their perceptions for success of contract administration in Hong Kong. The study helps readers comprehend the dynamics of contract management, and its implications of Hong Kong’s politicalized background.